Medical Symbols & Terms (PSW)

Question 1

QD

QOD

Answer 1

Everyday USE: Daily

Every other day USE: “ Every other day”

Question 2

OD

OD

Answer 2

Every Day USE : Daily

Right eye (Oculus dextra) USE : Right eye

Question 3

OD

OS

OU

Answer 3

Right eye

Left eye

Both eyes

Question 4

D/C

Answer 4

Discharge Use : “Discharge”

Discontinue, Discharge medicines.

Question 5

U

IU

cc

ug

Answer 5

Unit = 0.4cc USE: Unit

International Unit = IV, 10 USE: Unit

cubic = u (units) USE: mL or milliliter

Microgram = mg (milligram) USE: mcg

Question 6

X.0 mg (Trailing zero after decimal)

0.Xmg (Lack of leading zero before decimal)

Answer 6

Error = Decimal overlooked, 10-fold dose in error
USE: .X (Never use a zero ( .0) by itself after a decimal)

Error=Decimal overlooked, 10-fold dose in error
USE: 0.Xmg (Always use a leading zero before decimal)

Question 7

ac

pc

I&O

Answer 7

before meals

after meals

Intake & Output

Question 8

ad lib

prn

Answer 8

as desired

when necessary

Question 9

A.M. , a.m.

P.M. , p.m.

h , hr

HS , hs

ht

wt

qh

q2h , q3h

qhs

Answer 9

Morning

Afternoon

hour

Bedtime , Hour of sleep

height

weight

every hour

every 2 hours, every 3 hours

every night at bedtime

Question 10

amt

Sol

ung

gtt

Elix

SpO2

Answer 10

amount

Solution

Ointment

Drops

Elixir

Saturation pulse Oxygen (Pulse Oximetry reporting)

Question 11

bid

tid

qid

Answer 11

twice a day

three times a day

four times a day

Question 12

BM, bm

BRP

Answer 12

bowel movement

bathroom privileges

Question 13

BP , b/p , B/P

Answer 13

blood pressure

Question 14

-
c

-
s

R

REC

TPR

Answer 14

with

without

rectal temperature, respiration, right

Rectal

temperature, pulse, respirations

Question 15

CA

Answer 15

cancer

Question 16

CBR

Answer 16

complete bed rest

Question 17

c/o

Answer 17

complains of

Question 18

CPR

Answer 18

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Question 19

Dc , d/c , d/d

Answer 19

discontinue (Never used for discharge D/C )

Question 20

DOA

V/S , (vs)

Answer 20

dead on arrival

vital signs

Question 21

Dx

meds

per

Answer 21

diagnosis

medication

by, through

Question 22

ECG

EEG

Answer 22

electro-cardi-ogram

electro-encephal-ogram

Question 23

ED

Answer 23

emergency department

Question 24

FBS

Answer 24

fasting blood sugar

Question 25

IV

Answer 25

intravenous

Question 26

NPO , npo po (per os) per

Answer 26

nothing by mouth (nil per os) by mouth by

Question 27

OT PT

Answer 27

occupational therapy physiotherapy

Question 28

Postop , post op Preop , pre op NKA/NKDA

Answer 28

post operative pre operative No Known Allergies

Question 29

Pt (pt)

Answer 29

patient

Question 30

CBC RBC WBC Leukocytes

Answer 30

Complete blood count red blood cell, red blood count white blood cells , white blood count WBC's, part of the immune system fight infection.

Question 31

ROM

Answer 31

Range of motion

Question 32

LPN RPN

Answer 32

Licensed practical nurse Registered practical nurse/Registered psychiatric nurse

Question 33

SOB

Answer 33

shortness of breath

Question 34

U/a , U/A , u/a

Answer 34

urinalysis

Question 35

w/c

Answer 35

wheelchair

Question 36

Caesarean section Episiotomy Circumcision Cervical mucus

Answer 36

Surgical incision into abdominal and uterine walls. Incision in perineum to increase size of vaginal opening for childbirth or decrease size of perineum due to perineal tearing. Surgical removal of foreskin from the penis. Viscous discharge secreted by glands in cervix.

Question 37

Congenital

Answer 37

Present at birth

Question 38

Lochia (Greek =Lochos = Childbirth) Lochia Rubra Lochia Serosa (Watery Lochia) Lochia Alba (White Lochia)

Answer 38

Postpartum vaginal discharge, bloody, decreases after 4-6 weeks. Sani-pad every 4 hr or urinates, 3 stages. First discharge, Primarily blood/red, 3-5 days after childbirth Thinned discharge, brownish/pink , Blood+water+ RBCs+WBCs+cervical mucus. Until 10th after childbirth Whitish/yellowish-white. Fewer RBCs, mainly Leukocytes, epithelial cells, fat, cholesterol & mucus. 2ndto 3rd until 6weeks after childbirth.

Question 39

Mastitis

Answer 39

Infection of the breast.

Question 40

Postpartum Postpartum blues Postpartum Depression Postpartum Psychosis

Answer 40

after childbirth Mild depression childbirth - 2 weeks Severe depression anytime within 2 weeks-6 months or anytime during 1st year of childbirth. Most severe postpartum depression = Delusions, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts

Question 41

SIDS TSS = Toxic Shock Syndrome

Answer 41

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome = Unexplained death of healthy infant under 1 year age. Rare, Life threatening illness, suddenly after an infection.

Question 42

Thrush

Answer 42

Yeast infection, Cottage cheese/milk curds/ roof, side

Question 43

Dehiscence

Answer 43

Wound separation

Question 44

Anterior Fontanelle

Answer 44

Soft spot on infants skull (Cradle cap = Seborrheic Dermatitis)

Question 45

Axillary Temperature (For Infants) Tympanic Temperature (under 5 years both temps) Apical Pulses (Both infants & children)

Answer 45

Between skin folds in armpit External ear canal temp Over the Apex of heart

Question 46

sc IM sl Buccal administration Top Suppos sig

Answer 46

Subcutaneous Intramuscular sublingual (meds under the tongue - absorb into blood) btw gums & cheek, meds absorbed into your blood. Topical (On epidermis /OTC meds) Suppository Label

Question 47

MAR TAR \ POS POC

Answer 47

Medication Administration Record Treatment Administration Record Physician order sheet Point of care

Question 48

GM, gm mg ml cc 1 quart = Liter 2 tablespoons = 1 fluid ounce 1 tablespoon = ½ fluid ounce 1 teaspoon

Answer 48

Gram Milli-gram Milli-liter Cubic centimeter (equal ml) 1000 ml 30ml 15ml 5ml or 5cc